Ugandans in diaspora protest against Minister Anite’s Admission to top US University

A section of Ugandans living in the United States of America has held a protest against the admission of State Minister of Investment Evelyn Anite at Tufts University, a private research university in the state of Massachusetts. They accuse her of corruption and violation of human rights.

Anite, a student of International Relations and Diplomacy at the prestigious Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, recently requested for permission to take leave from Parliament and Cabinet to attend classes in the U.S.

Anite’s is paying USD 90,000 (Shs342 million) for the course that is sponsored by the Ugandan Government.

However, some Ugandans in the U.S are questioning her admission saying that the United States, as a democracy, should not encourage corrupt government officials to seek refuge in its territory under the guise of undertaking further studies.

A group of Ugandans on Saturday gathered in Medford, Boston for a protest, in which they demanded that Anite is terminated. The protest spearheaded by the Common League of the Ugandan Diaspora (CLOUD) lasted more than eight hours.

Several Ugandans held placards with inscriptions challenging the admission and demanding the Tufts University suspends Anite, in public interest. “Anite should join Russian schools, USA is a democracy, not an Autocracy,” read one of the placards. There were several others in the same line, some offensive, some demanding and others recommending action.

Martin Byakuleka, the ClOUD President who also spearheaded the protest says Anite is an enemy of democracy and human rights in Uganda and has no right to attend a free world top school of International Affairs. Byakuleka called for Anite’s discontinuation as an honour for global peace and security.

He says if Tufts University does not listen to their call, they will plan a massive round of demonstration in August. Attempts to speak to the University about the protest were futile, as online contacts were not responded to e by press time.